WWE is moving forward with Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, despite the tense ceasefire between Iran and Israel and the restricted airspace that followed the recent conflict. With travel disruptions forcing WWE talent to fly separately to ensure arrival, the company made it clear the event was too important to relocate.
In an update, Alfred Konuwa spoke with WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry, who didn’t hold back when defending WWE’s decision to go ahead with their plans in Saudi Arabia.
Henry made it clear that Saudi Arabia should not be blamed for the ongoing crisis.
“Saudi Arabia is not the problem or a contributor to the negativity of the world.”
Henry explained that the broader conflict is far bigger than any one country and has existed for centuries.
“That war has been fought for 3,000 years. You’re not going to change it. I’m not going to change it. Saudi Arabia is not going to change it.”
Henry also stressed that Saudi Arabia is not a place to take lightly and praised the country’s strict approach to law enforcement.
“They have one of the largest air forces in the world. You don’t want to fight them. You don’t want to do nothing over there that ain’t proper, because they will get you and they don’t have a system to where you got to go through congress and you go through the board, and you got to have all these people talk about it. No. You get caught over there, it’s happening in the public square for everybody to see. Don’t mess around. And I believe in that. People can get mad at me all they want to.”
Henry made it clear he feels confident in the safety of WWE’s roster when they travel to Saudi Arabia.
“I’m not worried about anybody. If the WWE goes over there, the full power of the king and his son are going to protect them and keep them safe. Nothing going to happen.”
Henry even shared that his personal experience in Saudi Arabia has been more welcoming than some places in America.
“Every time I went to Saudi Arabia, I felt more at home and welcome than I do a lot of places in America. People say ‘Welcome home, brother!’ Like there’s so many people over there that are brown people that look like you and I.”
Mark Henry didn’t sugarcoat his feelings, and whether you agree with him or not, one thing’s clear — WWE isn’t slowing down for anyone. Night of Champions is full steam ahead, global tensions or not, and Mark’s standing by it every step of the way.
